Spelling spat over threat to postal services

David O'Leary • Published 24 Sep 2010 09:30 4 Comments

A political row has broken out about the scrapping of Saturday postal services.

MSP Christine Grahame has warned the service could soon be a thing of the past, if according to a leaked letter, secret Liberal and Tory plans get the go ahead.

And in a recent press release she has challenged fellow MSP Jeremy Purvis to clarify what the Liberal position is.

However within the release she has also misspelt the Tweeddale MSP’s surname as Purves several times. This is the second time this year that MS Grahame has mistakenly referred to her rival as such, back in February she likewise misspelt his name four times.

MS Grahame’s attack comes after Scottish Liberal leader Tavish Scott said postal services had a “copper bottomed guarantee” over their future.

However in a letter sent by Vince Cable to Chancellor George Osborne, the Business Secretary raises the prospect of a reduction in minimum service requirements.

Ms Grahame stated in her press release: “It would appear that the bottom has just fallen off the Liberals policy on postal services with the leak of this latest government document.

“Far from protecting our local postal services the Liberals and their Tory pals in London look set to systematically undermine it, leading to a poorer postal system for everyone.

“Mr Purves and the Liberals have falsely claimed to champion local postal services when they were in opposition. Now they are in Government with the Tories local people look certain to pay the price of their new loyalties to the old failed Thatcherite policies of the past.

“The Liberals and Mr Purves must explain to people why they have reneged on their promise to defend local postal services.”

Jeremy Purvis replied: “This is a national SNP press release that Ms Grahame has just cut and pasted. It obviously proves her lack of local interest.

"There is no question about me not supporting Saturday services, but more importantly is the matter of the cost of sending a letter to England not being more expensive than to within the Borders. This can’t be protected by the SNP.

“I have genuine concerns than on independence there will be a separate postal system in the Borders and Scotland and this is by far the biggest threat.

“Also, there is no indication on how every postie would have their pension paid if the SNP thinks that the UK Government shouldn’t take responsibility for the pension liabilities.”

Regarding Ms Grahame’s repeated misspelling of his name he said: “I’m not bothered about Ms Grahame always spelling my name wrong. It’s either done out of stupidity or childishness, neither of which does her much credit.”

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 24 Sep 10

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Iain Galbraith
  Unregistered User
  Sep 24, 13:27
  Report comment

  The Liberals and Conservatives are about to undermine, possibly sell off and close down rural post offices In the Borders and all they care about is how their names are spelt? They've lost the plot.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  hazelkaye
  224 posts
  Sep 24, 19:27
  Report comment

  Get real! My surname is Stephen - but I have to put up with Step-Hen, Stephens, Stefan, Steven/Stevens Stephenson/Stevenson etc etc etc etc! Who cares? I know who I am - that's all that matters!
  
  However, if I simply IGNORE any incorrect spellings, the message soon gets through!
  
  Purvis/Purves? Grahame/Graham/Graeme? It's "An easy mistake-a-to-make-a" (with apologies to-a Capetaina Bertolinni in-a "Allo- Allo") What's sauce for the goose......?
  
  Pollytishians/Politisheeanns? I ask you! Yet again, who really cares?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  hazelkaye
  224 posts
  Sep 24, 19:34
  Report comment

  or was that "Capitain Bertorelli" - see easy mistake-a to make-a!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  Jim Silver
  Unregistered User
  Sep 29, 16:30
  Report comment

  The Lib Dums should get over themselves. Is this the best they can complain about? Spelling mistakes happen all the time and its hardly crime of the century.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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